Q. When dieting, I mainly focus my meals on chicken breast and protein shakes. What approach do you recommend from a TKM perspective?

To be honest, I once believed that 'protein is the only answer' and spent a lot of time strictly sticking to chicken breast. However, I eventually reached a point where I felt bloated, completely drained of energy, and even dizzy. The advantages of a protein-focused diet are clear: it provides long-lasting satiety, which helps overcome 'false hunger,' and minimizes muscle loss during weight reduction. However, the drawbacks are equally evident. Excessive protein intake can strain the liver and kidneys, and more importantly, it often leads to excessive gas or constipation during the digestion process. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed as a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), meaning a deficiency or weakness in the Spleen function. When Spleen function declines, the body cannot properly break down high-protein foods, leading to the accumulation of metabolic waste known as 'Dam-eum' (痰飮). Think of Dam-eum as a type of residue or phlegm-fluid that makes the body feel heavy and obstructs the smooth flow of circulation. Ultimately, the answer is that 'it depends on the individual.' If you have strong digestion and a high activity level, a high-protein diet may be efficient. However, for those who typically suffer from indigestion or frequent swelling (edema), a smarter strategy is to slightly reduce protein intake and pair it with vegetables of a 'warm nature' to support digestion. It is crucial to first assess whether your body is truly prepared to absorb and process that amount of protein. I encourage you to visit the clinic so we can analyze your specific constitution and find the best approach together.